A child presenting with an acute illness
Rihanna is 7 years old who has a nasty cough and have been taking amoxicillin paediatric suspension, 3 times each day. She is feeling very cross because she has had to miss lots of ballet classes as she is on a week’s intensive course over half term, and she tells you her friends will all learn the steps better than her now. She is in a bad mood and will not take her amoxicillin anymore as she says it tastes horrible. Her Mum and Dad are cross that she is not taking her medicine and do not know what to do? Her parents tell you that they suspect she feels that she will ‘lose face’ if she agrees to take it now. Rihanna says she thinks she can get better by herself. Rihanna verbalises that she is missing her friends and she says she is worried because she overheard her dad say he would lose his job if he had to take any more time off. Considering this situation
What are the usual dose indication and side effects of amoxicillin?
How does amoxicillin work?
What are the risks of stopping the antibiotic before the course has finished?
How would you approach this child/parents to encourage concordance with the regime?
